City School Officials: New Math Means More Money

City School Deficit Less Than First Thought

Officials at Baltimore City Schools said they now expect a $20 million deficit instead of a $35 million hole.

Top administrators are still crunching the numbers, but said since the budget figures changed, they'll be able to transfer the savings to the schools, said 11 News Education reporter Tim Tooten.

Based on new budget math, officials promise to increase the amount spent on students in Baltimore City from $5,000 each to $5,155.

Principals are already rubbing their hands together.

"I could outfit a computer lab. I could hire another teacher. I could hire a guidance counselor. I could do some things which would make a substantial difference here at Reginald Lewis High School," said Dr. Barney Wilson. "The $155 times 400 students would add up to about $62,000."

The students were just as excited.

"We might even have an extra class and the teacher wouldn't be so divided. Some people need extra help in math. They could get that extra help from that second teacher," said Joseph Byrant.

Chief Financial Officer Michael Frist agreed that the buck should stop with the students.

"We're not making decisions for 200 schools here at North Avenue. The school and the school community makes those decisions to determine whether that's best in programs, is that best in supplies, is that best in teaching and staffing and so forth, and where those dollars should be spent," Frist said.

The funding shift means fewer dollars will be spent at school board headquarters, where the talk is already about belt-tightening, said Tooten.

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